Governor asks for support from federal government, ability for other agencies to deal with drones
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Cape May County officials want answers about reported drone sightings over the county, but don’t want members of the public to try to bring down drones they may spot.
Gov. Phil Murphy has asked President Joe Biden for more support because of drone concerns across New Jersey since mid-November.
Cape May County Board of Commissioners Director Leonard Desiderio and county Emergency Management Coordinator Christopher Leusner reported they met Friday with local law enforcement and drone experts “to discuss recent reported drone sightings over Cape May County.”
“The OEM director and I discussed the drone issues at length and have engaged experts with vast experience in the field,” Desiderio said in a written statement at the end of last week. “We have also been interfacing with state and federal law enforcement agencies who are actively investigating the continuous sightings of these UAVs in other parts of the state in recent days. It is a bit disconcerting that it appears that the origins and landing locations of these drones have not yet been identified.
“It is somewhat reassuring that the drones have apparently not engaged in any hostile actions in other parts of the state, but we want to be prepared in Cape May County to be able to advise the public and perhaps bring in assets to track these UAVs in order to ensure public safety should they begin to appear in large numbers over our part of the state.”
In a separate news release issued Friday, Desiderio said county and local officials are “frustrated by the lack of information and support from higher levels of government. However, we are doing everything possible at the county and local level to address this situation. We are calling for more support from state and federal authorities to help us understand and manage these unexplained drone activities.”
“Our priority is public safety,” Leusner added in the release. “We are working diligently to collect data and coordinate with experts to evaluate these sightings from a public safety standpoint. We aim to be prepared to provide as much information as possible to our residents if these drone sightings continue to appear over Cape May County.”
“We are asking the public to stay engaged on these issues, but to do so calmly and not attempt to interfere with or bring down a drone if one is spotted,” Leusner said in a written statement.
“Our local, state and federal partners are working diligently to find answers to the questions surrounding these UAV sightings. We are collecting as much data as we possibly can and consulting with experts about how best to evaluate any drone sightings in Cape May County from a public safety standpoint. Our focus is to be prepared to provide as much information as possible to folks on the ground if these drones begin to appear over Cape May County in large numbers, and to work together with those agencies having authority over the skies above Cape May County to ensure public safety moving forward,” Leusner wrote.
“Theories on the origins of the drones have taken many forms in recent days, with some credible information apparently pointing to the possibility of an ocean-based launching and landing site.”
County officials said the public “should report suspicious activity that includes any observed behavior that could indicate potential threats, terrorism or other criminal activity.”
Residents should report such activity immediately to local law enforcement or call the FBI at (800) 225-5324. Citizens can also submit information online at tips.fbi.gov, where videos can be uploaded directly through the FBI’s online portal.
The public should report any drone activity affecting critical infrastructure or other sensitive locations, or any aviation activity or operation of an aircraft (manned or unmanned) that poses a threat to people or property, according to the county officials, who said they are committed “to ensuring public safety and will continue to work closely with state and federal partners to address this ongoing situation, including collaborating with state and federal legislators.”
Murphy writes to Biden
Murphy wrote a letter to the president Dec. 12 and posted it online asking for help because of the reports of “unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in and around New Jersey airspace.” While noting much of the drone activity over the past decade has been by hobbyists, researchers and for commercial purposes, “the proliferation of this technology has introduced additional risks to public safety, privacy and homeland security.”
The governor added state and local law enforcement agencies are “hamstrung” by existing laws that put actions regarding the UAS “squarely on the shoulders of the federal government.”
He wrote that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas briefed his administration and New Jersey’s congressional delegation, but more resources were needed to understand what is behind the activity.
“New Jersey residents deserve more concrete information about these UAS sightings and what is causing them,” Murphy wrote, adding the continued sightings “has raised more questions than answers and prompted an outcropping of conspiracy theories.”
The governor asked the administration “to extend counter-UAS flexibilities to state and local law enforcement entities.”
Federal officials initially downplayed reports of the drones, asserting that most of the sightings were actually manned aircraft operating lawfully that were being mistaken for drones.
However, as the sightings continued, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security have deployed infrared cameras and drone detection technology to make sure that there isn’t nefarious activity taking place with the drones.
Secretary Mayorkas, interviewed by news outlets Sunday, said the drone sightings are real, but said Homeland Security has not seen any evidence the drones are being operated by a foreign power.
He noted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) changed rules a year ago that allow drones to fly at night, which may be a reason they are being seen more.
Federal legislation has been proposed to give the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice more authority over the UAS. While some have called for shooting down drones, Homeland Security said that poses safety risks, especially over populated areas where debris could cause damage or injuries.
Unlawfully shooting down a drone could set a person up for a prison term or fines of as much as a quarter-million dollars.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
